How Long do Vegetable Seeds Last

When looking at growing your own vegetables, the lifespan of your seeds is a key factor to consider. To save you from planting any dud seeds and to ensure you get a bountiful harvest it is important to understand how your seeds remain viable. We’ve put this guide together for you so you can better understand the importance of seed longevity, factors that might affect viability and tips for storing your vegetable seeds!

Jump to a topic:

• Seed Longevity: General Guidelines
• Factors Affecting Seed Viability
• Tips For Storing Vegetable Seeds
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Seed Longevity: General Guidelines

Different vegetable seeds will have varying lifespans. Some seeds can stay viable for several years while others may lose their viability much faster. Here’s a general guideline for how long common vegetable seeds last when stored properly:

• Beans: 3-4 years
• Beets: 2-4 years
• Broccoli: 3-5 years
• Cabbage: 3-4 years
• Carrots: 2-3 years
• Corn: 1-2 years
• Cucumbers: 5-6 years
• Lettuce: 2-3 years
• Onions: 1-2 years
• Peas: 3-4 years
• Peppers: 2-3 years
• Pumpkins: 4-6 years
• Radishes: 4-5 years
• Spinach: 1-2 years
• Tomatoes: 4-6 years
• Watermelons: 4-5 years

These ranges are approximate and can be influenced by storage conditions and seed quality.

Factors Affecting Seed Viability

Storage Conditions

Seeds should be kept in a cool, dry, and dark environment to maintain seed viability. Ideal storage conditions are typically:

• Temperature: A temperature range of 0-5°C is optimal for most vegetable seeds. Some ideal places for storing your seeds are in a basement, root cellar or refrigerator.
• Humidity: Storing your seeds somewhere with low humidity is important. Try and aim  for relative humidity below 50%. You can use desiccants like rice in your storage containers to absorb excess moisture.

Seed Quality

• Obtaining high-quality seeds from reputable sources means your seeds are more likely to remain viable for longer. If you’re saving seeds you want to ensure you are selecting seeds from a healthy plant that demonstrate qualities such as: disease resistance, robust growth, and high yield.

Seed Type

• Different vegetable seeds will have different life spans. For example onion and corn seeds won’t last as long as tomato or watermelon seeds.

Tips For Storing Vegetable Seeds

Here are some extra tips for storing your vegetable seeds. We have also published a blog all about how to properly store your vegetable seeds that you can read HERE :

Use Airtight Containers

• Storing your seeds in airtight containers will keep them from being exposed to any moisture. Glass jars with rubber seals, vacuum-sealed bags, and plastic containers with tight lids are good options.

Label Your Seeds

• Keeping your seeds in containers labelled with the variety and date of storage will help you keep track of the age of your seeds.

Keep Them Cool

• If you have access to a cool basement or a root cellar, these are ideal conditions for storing your seeds. Alternatively, a refrigerator will also do the job.

Avoid Temperature Fluctuations

• Try to avoid storing your seeds somewhere that is prone to temperature fluctuations. This can shorten the lifespan of your seeds. Consistency in temperature is key when storing your seeds.

Check for Viability

• Before planting, you can do a germination test with your seeds to check they are still viable. To do this just place a few seeds between damp paper towels, keep them warm and check for sprouting. If most of your seeds germinate then they are still good to plant.

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Understanding all the factors that impact the viability of your seeds is essential for successful gardening. By making sure you follow proper storage practices you will be able to get the most life out of your seeds and ensure a productive garden year after year. So if you have any leftover seeds, use these tips to keep them fresh and ready for planting. Happy gardening!

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